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Kudumbashree has become the backbone of local entrepreneurial development and economy: Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan

Pinarayi Vijayan, Chief Minister, Government of Kerala said that Kudumbashree has become the backbone of local entrepreneurial development and economy. The Chief Minister was speaking at the inauguration of the National Saras Mela organized by Kudumbashree at Kozhikode Beach and the 'Ente Keralam' Exhibition Mela, which is part of the fourth anniversary celebrations of the State Government, at Kozhikode Beach on 3 May 2025.

He pointed out that Kudumbashree is a popular movement with about half a crore women as members and that Rs. 270 crores has been allocated for Kudumbashree in this year's budget. P.A. Muhammed Riyas, Minister for Public Works and Tourism, Government of Kerala presided over the function. A.K. Saseendran, Minister for Forest and Wildlife Conservation, Government of Kerala was the Chief Guest of the function. He said that the Saras Mela is a glimpse of the achievements of the state achieved through Kudumbashree.

The Saras Mela, which is set up on 64,000 square feet on the Kozhikode beach, was packed with people at the product marketing stalls and food court. The fully air conditioned pavilion has about 250 marketing stalls selling various products from rural entrepreneurs in India and the food court has about 50 stalls selling unique food items from 17 states. Entry to the fair, which will last till 13 May 2025, is completely free.

The inauguration ceremony was attended by Dr. Beena Philip, Mayor, Kozhikode Corporation, Thottathil Raveendran, MLA, Ahmed Devarkovil, MLA, E.K. Vijayan, MLA, P.T.A Rahim, MLA, Kunjahammad Kutty Master, MLA, K.M. Sachindev, MLA, Linto Joseph, MLA, Sheeja Sasi, President, District Panchayat, Kozhikode, Adv. P. Gavas, Vice President, District Panchayath, Kozhikode, C.P. Muzaffar Ahmed, Deputy Mayor, Kozhikode Corporation,

H. Dineshan IAS, Executive Director, Kudumbashree, Harshil R. Meena IAS, Sub Collector, T. Narayanan, District Police Commissioner, K.T. Shekhar, Deputy Director, I&PRD, K.K. Lathika, P.K. Zainaba, Executive Members, Kudumbashree Governing Body, C.P. Abdul Karim, District Information Officer, Public Representatives, Political Party Representatives and others participated. Snehil Kumar Singh IAS, District Collector, Kozhikode welcomed the gathering and P.C. Kavitha, District Mission Coordinator, Kudumbashree Kozhikode District Mission proposed the vote of thanks.

Thousands of people participated in the proclamation procession that started from Mananchira ahead of the inauguration ceremony. The procession was led by Kudumbashree members.

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Kudumbashree has become the backbone of local entrepreneurial development and economy: Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan

State-Level inauguration of the Communicore Project

M.B. Rajesh, Minister, Local Self Government Department, Excise Department and Parliamentary Affairs performed the State Level Inauguration of the 'Communicore' English Language Training Project organized by Kudumbashree to improve the English language skills of children in the local area online. The minister said that this training project will be helpful in developing the indigenous population and ensuring opportunities for them.

Even though Kerala has made great progress in the field of education, one of the remaining challenges is the linguistic problem of indigenous students. The medium of instruction is Malayalam and English, and English learning and communication are causing them a lot of difficulties. This is what the Communicore project addresses.

The Communicore Project is being implemented in the first phase in areas where the Scheduled Tribes Project and the Scheduled Tribes Sustainable Development Project are being implemented in the state under the leadership of Kudumbashree. The activities are planned in such a way that each child participating in the training will be able to maximize their language skills.

Children between the ages of 12 and 18 selected from the Scheduled Tribe Special Schemes currently being implemented in Attappady, Parambikulam (Palakkad), Thirunelli, Noolpuzha (Wayanad), Aralam Farm (Kannur), Nilambur (Malappuram), Kodanchery (Kozhikode), Kuttampuzha (Ernakulam), Marayoor, Kanthalloor, Vattavada (Idukki), Koraga Special Scheme (Kasaragod), Kadar Special Scheme (Thrissur), and Malaipandaram Special Scheme (Pathanamthitta) are participating in the training programme.

The training is provided for a period of one year, including residential training during the vacations. The training will be held in various batches consisting of 30 to 50 children.

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State-Level inauguration of the Communicore Project

PSC Competitive Exam Training for Scheduled Tribe Youth under the leadership of Kudumbashree: 113 people get Government Jobs & 364 people in various rank lists

113 youth from the Scheduled Tribe region got jobs in the government and semi-government sectors with the support of Kudumbashree. These people got jobs as part of the competitive exam training organized with the aim of economic and social empowerment of the youth in this region.

Most of the appointments were made to the posts of LD Clerk, Police, Forest Beat Officer etc. All of them have joined the job. In addition, 364 people have been included in various rank lists. This achievement is from 2,893 people who received expert training through Kudumbashree. They have increased their financial stability and confidence to interact with everyone in the society by getting government jobs.

As part of bringing the youth of this region into the mainstream society, intensive PSC competitive exam training was provided under the leadership of Kudumbashree. For this, PSC had organized a one-time registration camp in the districts where they reside. In the first phase, those with degree and plus two qualifications were included. Later, necessary training was also provided for posts such as Beat Forest Officer. For this, expert faculties in various fields are identified and training is provided through them.

Special centres are also functioning under the leadership of the District Mission for training. In addition, training is provided in collaboration with other training centres. The activities are carried out with the support of the respective Kudumbashree CDS.

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PSC Competitive Exam Training for Scheduled Tribe Youth under the leadership of Kudumbashree: 113 people get Government Jobs & 364 people in various rank lists

Kudumbashree National Urban Livelihood Mission: Rs 53.13 crores as Revolving Fund for NHGs & ADSs in urban areas

Kudumbashree has distributed Rs 53.13 crores as Revolving Fund to Kudumbashree NHGs and ADSs in urban areas. This achievement is through the National Urban Livelihood Mission project, which is jointly implemented by Kudumbashree and the Municipalities in the urban areas of the state. Rs. 36.35 crores were given to NHGs and Rs. 16.78 crores were given to ADSs under this scheme.

Each NHG will be provided with a Revolving Fund of Rs. 10,000. The 36,349 NHGs in the urban area have benefited from this. The amount will be used to improve NHG activities and revive inactive ones. 3,356 Kudumbashree ADSs have also received Revolving Funds. Rs. 16.78 crores has been distributed to ADSs. This is the amount distributed in both categories in the last nine years.

The project will provide support, including job skills development training, to bring the unorganized urban poor under the umbrella of Kudumbashree and enable them to achieve progress in their lives. Families with an annual income of Rs. 1 lakh or less in urban areas are selected as beneficiaries.

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Kudumbashree National Urban Livelihood Mission: Rs 53.13 crores as Revolving Fund for NHGs & ADSs in urban areas

Good Governance, Financial Sustainability& Self-Sufficiency: 319 Model CDSs in the state under Kudumbashree

319 Kudumbashree CDSs in the state have been given Model CDS status. The Model CDSs were identified on the basis of various criteria such as good governance, financial sustainability, excellence in Kudumbashree project implementation, and activities in the livelihood sector. Currently, there are 1070 CDSs under Kudumbashree. The aim is to elevate all CDSs to Model CDS status in the upcoming years.

There are Area Development Societies or ADSs at the ward level of local bodies in Kerala, by including NHGs. Community Development Societies or CDSs are a system formed by including ADSs in each panchayat and municipality. At present, their activities are carried out using government funds. The aim of forming model CDSs is to enable CDSs to achieve self-sufficiency, sustainability and development without the financial support of the central and state governments. For this, the amount received as interest from various loan schemes provided to NHGs through CDSs will be found as the capital required for their own development activities.

The general administration of the CDS and the efficiency in effectively delivering the things implemented through Kudumbashree to the grassroots are also important. Social inclusion is also of utmost importance. People from all sections should be brought under the Kudumbashree system. Activities to ensure social security by bringing people from special categories such as the destitute, the homeless, the marginalized and others under the umbrella of Kudumbashree should also be carried out through the CDS. Ensuring better livelihood and income generation for the members of the NHG is also of great importance. For this, various jobs that can be done according to local possibilities and through various income-generating projects implemented through Kudumbashree should be utilized for the women of the NHG.

As part of upgrading the existing CDSs to Model CDSs, training was provided to the members of the CDS Governing Body in three phases. The training was given to identify the areas that need development in their panchayat, determine their priorities and prepare a special document called a 'Vision Document'. Based on this, each CDS has prepared its Annual Action Plan and submitted it to the respective local bodies. A Separate Business Plan has also been prepared under the leadership of each CDS to understand the funds required and integration possibilities to achieve the development goals.

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Good Governance, Financial Sustainability& Self-Sufficiency: 319 Model CDSs in the state under Kudumbashree

Kudumbashree leads 3,321 NHGs towards self-sufficiency in the Scheduled Tribes sector

Kudumbashree has led 3,321 NHGs towards self-sufficiency in the Scheduled Tribes sector in the state. This achievement is achieved by carrying out many activities that enable the NHGs to carry out all activities related to themselves and ensure their own livelihood. The aim is to empower the disadvantaged NHGs in this sector socially and economically by providing financial support and skill training to start livelihood initiatives, including in the agricultural-micro enterprise sector. The activities are carried out in collaboration with local self-government institutions.

Kudumbashree selected 50 percent backward and relatively weak NHGs in various CDSs in the Scheduled Tribes region to achieve self-sufficiency. As part of strengthening NHG activities, various financial supports such as Rs. 15,000 as Corpus Fund and Rs. 15,000 as Revolving Fund were provided to each NHG. In addition, training was provided to NHG members to prepare business plans for starting livelihood enterprises. In the last 9 years, 3,127 farmers groups have been formed in this region. 11,442 members have been provided assistance in livelihood activities related to animal husbandry. In addition, 1196 enterprises have been started. Special training has been provided to the members of selected NHGs under the leadership of Kudumbashree on accounting related to NHG activities, benefits provided by various departments, various livelihood schemes implemented through Kudumbashree, benefits available through Kudumbashree, job skills training and services.

Another achievement was that grading and auditing were conducted as part of improving the performance of NHGs. In addition, financial literacy including bank transactions, efficient use of funds, and availability of linkage loans were also provided to NHGs. The animators from this sector are also responsible for accurately evaluating all activities of the self-sufficient NHGs, including weekly investments, bank linkage loan repayments, and recording them in the Kudumbashree Management Information System.

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Kudumbashree leads 3,321 NHGs towards self-sufficiency in the Scheduled Tribes sector

Kudumbashree NRLM Micro Enterprise Development Scheme: 2,273 Enterprises in 10 blocks within one and a half years

Thiruvananthapuram: The Micro Enterprise Development Scheme implemented in the state through Kudumbashree to support Kudumbashree members and enterprises working in the non-agricultural sector has been a success. The objective of the scheme was to form 2,000 enterprises in ten selected blocks within one and a half years. The scheme was completed by forming 2,273 enterprises, including 358 group enterprises and 1,915 individual enterprises, within the period. Through this, the project also helped 3,357 women find their own employment.

The Micro Enterprise Development Scheme was implemented as part of the National Rural Livelihood Mission (NRLM) implemented in the state through Kudumbashree. As part of this, ten Micro Enterprise Consultants were selected in each block for enterprise formation activities. Through them, women interested in starting enterprises in the self-employment sector were identified and various job skill training and financial support were provided. NRLM funds of Rs. 20 lakhs were also provided to each block selected for the project activities.

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Kudumbashree NRLM Micro Enterprise Development Scheme: 2,273 Enterprises in 10 blocks within one and a half years

Notable progress in Product Marketing: Kudumbashree entrepreneurs earned Rs. 104.35 crores through National Saras Melas organized in Kerala

Kudumbashree entrepreneurs earned Rs. 104.35 crores by organizing National Saras Melas, one of the main platforms for marketing the products of Kudumbashree entrepreneurs, in Kerala for the last nine years. Out of this, Rs. 17.57 crores were earned from the most recent Saras Mela organized in Chengannur.

A turnover of Rs. 22 crores have also been achieved by participating in Saras Melas organized in other states. Entrepreneurs earned a total of Rs. 126.35 crores through Saras Melas from Kerala and various states.

Kudumbashree aims to increase the income of Kudumbashree entrepreneurs by organizing local and national level marketing fairs, monthly markets, Onam, Vishu and Ramzan marketing fairs. As part of this, 10,815 monthly markets, 916 local district level trade fairs, 426 food fairs and 6,859 Onam marketing fairs were organized in the last nine years. Through this, a turnover of Rs. 185.86 crores were also obtained.

In addition to traditional marketing methods, Kudumbashree is also implementing innovative marketing methods that suit the modern market. The aim is to increase the income of entrepreneurs. As part of this, Kudumbashree is also active in the online marketing sector such as Nano Markets, Marketing Kiosks, and Amazon, Flipkart, Meesho, and ONDC.

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Notable progress in Product Marketing: Kudumbashree entrepreneurs earned Rs. 104.35 crores through National Saras Melas organized in Kerala

Kudumbashree Kasaragod District Mission gives Drone Training to 20 people from Koraga Community

20 people from the Koraga Scheduled Tribes in Kasaragod district are now happy that their dream has come true. Their wish to learn drone flying was fulfilled by the Kudumbashree Kasaragod District Mission. The drone flying training was organized in collaboration with ASAP Skill Park as part of the Koraga Special Project implemented in the district by Kudumbashree. This is the first time that Kudumbashree is organizing drone flying training in the indigenous area.

The 16-day training programme began on 19 April 2025. Kudumbashree is providing all the food and travel allowance for the trainees. Those who successfully complete the training will also be provided with support to get a job in this sector. The training programme was inaugurated by C. H Iqbal, District Mission Coordinator (i/c), Kudumbashree Kasaragod District Mission. The programme was chaired by Kishore Kumar, Assistant District Mission Coordinator, Kudumbashree Kasaragod District Mission. Sanal and Prajith, Coordinators, ASAP explained the project. Akhil, Coordinator, ASAP Skill Park Centre welcomed the participants and Yaduraj, Coordinator, Koraga Special Project proposed the vote of thanks.

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Kudumbashree Kasaragod District Mission gives Drone Training to 20 people from Koraga Community e

Kudumbashree State Level Award 2025: State Level Award Selection Workshop concluded

The Kudumbashree State Level Award Selection Workshop, which began on 21 April 2025 at KILA Headquarters, Mulangunnathukavu Thrissur, has concluded. Presentations of the contestants for the primary election were organized in front of the sub-committees formed on a topic basis until 24 April 2025 The final selection was held on 25 April 2025.

The final selection was conducted by a panel comprising P.K. Sainaba, Governing Body Member, Kudumbashree, T.V. Anupama IAS, Special Secretary, Local Self-Government Department, Government of Kerala, H. Dineshan IAS, Executive Director, Kudumbashree and Shyam Kumar K. U, Programme Officer, Kudumbashree . The awards will be distributed on Kudumbashree Day, 17 May 2025.

Awards will be given in a total of 17 categories. Awards will be given for Best NHG, ADS, Ooru Samithi, Enterprise Group, Entrepreneur, BUDS Institution, Gender Resource Centre, Auxiliary Group, Auxiliary Enterprise, Gender Help Desk, District that has conducted public relations activities, Best District Mission, as well as Best CDS (Convergence Activities, Unique Activities, Administration-Microfinance Activities), Best CDS (Agriculture Sector, Animal Husbandry), Best CDS (Social Development, Gender), Best CDS (Tribal Activities), Best CDS (Micro Enterprise, DDU-GKY, K-DISC).

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Kudumbashree State Level Award 2025: State Level Award Selection Workshop concluded